The Caribbean Customs  Law Enforcement Council laments the abduction July 10^th 2020 and subsequent slaying of Antiguan Customs and Excise Officer Nigel Christian.   The brazen and brutal manner of his abduction and killing has left the Antiguan, Caribbean and International Customs community in shock.

We unitedly condemn his slaying and are confident that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and its National Security establishment will employ all professional means, leaving no stone unturned, in exposing the perpetrators, their motive for this act in order to bring those responsible to justice.

This shows the level of risks that Customs, Police and other public officers are exposed to in serving the state and the public.   Officers are encouraged to continue performing their duties fairly, with integrity, without favour or fear for the welfare of their nation.

We express our deepest condolences and pray for the consolation of his immediate family, relatives and Customs colleagues.

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Dr. Kunio Mikuriya, visited St. Lucia from the 12th to 14th February 2020. During his stay the Secretary General made official visits to the Acting Comptroller of Customs and Excise, Mrs. Anita Montoute and her staff, the Government of St. Lucia and the Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council.

The welcome meeting, hosted by the Customs Comptroller and Ministry of Finance, was attended by the Comptroller of Customs, Minister of Commerce and Trade, Hon. Bradley Felix, Deputy PS Finance, Acting Commissioner of Police Milton Desir, Permanent Secretary of CCLEC, Mr. Albert Sandy, administrators and staff of the Inland Revenue Department, Customs and Excise Administrators and staff and other invited guests.

Acting Comptroller of Customs Montoute welcomed Dr. Mikuryia, expressing her thanks for his consideration of St. Lucia for such an important visit. She mentioned various conventions signed, which are being actively enforced by St Lucia, such as the Montreal Protocol on ODS substances, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and the WCO Revised Kyoto Convention (RKC). She mentioned that the St. Lucia Customs and Excise Department continues to collaborate with the WCO and CCLEC to build the capacity of its staff to increase their abilities to facilitate trade through risk management principles and practices while ensuring the control of restricted and prohibited goods and contraband.

The Permanent Secretary of CCLEC welcomed the Secretary General and expressed his thanks to the WCO for the collaboration in Capacity Building, Trade Facilitation among other areas. He stated that CCLEC and the WCO have an established MOU between them which will shortly be reviewed and practically deepened. CCLEC’s Joint Intelligence Office is also the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) for the WCO.

On the 14th SG Mikuriya visited the CCLEC Secretariat where discussion was held on deepening collaboration between CCLEC and the WCO including the synchronization of their strategies in order to better meet member’s needs. In May 2020 CCLEC, the WCO and CARICOM will jointly stage an STCE training course in the Eastern Caribbean to benefit member administrations.

On November 1^st 2019, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to St. Lucia, His excellency Alejandro Marin, deposited Cuba’s Instrument of Ratification of the Caribbean Customs Organisation (CCO) Treaty at the CCLEC Secretariat.  The CCO Treaty was signed by fourteen countries on May 22^nd, 2019 in Havana and will enter into force three months after the date of the deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance or approval in accordance with Articles 5 and 60 of the Agreement.

In presenting the instrument, His Excellency Ambassador Marin, thanked the PS, Executive Committee and Council for the efforts to move from an MOU to a Treaty Organization.  He noted that Cuba has been a very willing and cooperative partner of the CCLEC from inception.

He said Cuba was very proud to sign the treaty in Havana on 22^nd May 2019 and now the first country to deposit its Instrument of ratification to the PS CCLEC.  He reaffirms Cuba’s commitment to the organization and all its members and said that Cuba will continue its work and initiatives according to the Motto of the CCLEC 41^st Conference “Strength through Unity.”

The Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council (CCLEC) extends its heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of the Bahamas for the tragic loss of lives and widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian on Sunday 1^st September 2019.

The devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian is still unfolding but images and news from the Bahamas tell a very painful story, one which is becoming too familiar to our region.

Our thoughts and prayers are with our Customs colleagues and the people of Bahamas as they seek to rebuild their homes and lives.

Albert Sandy
PS CCLEC

On behalf of the CCLEC Secretariat and Executive Committee I convey our deepest condolences to the family, friends and Customs colleagues of Miss Camille Garrick of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Customs and Excise Department, on her recent decease at such a tender age.  The loss of such a dear friend and co worker leaves us often speechless and sad.   Comptroller of Customs, Mr. DaSilva praises her as “ an athletic, adventurous, kind  individual and a valued member of the Customs and Excise Department since February 11, 2002”, who will be missed dearly.  May we all aim for such a legacy among our peers.   Life being so transient, let us all take stock of our short time here to make the best of it at work and home.  She will be missed, but we can all keep her memory at heart. May you all be supportive of each other and her family at this time.

The funeral and interment of Ms.  Garrick was held at the Kingstown Methodist Church on 4^th December 2019.

May she rest in peace.

With our warmest sympathy and consideration.

Albert Sandy

Permanent Secretary

Caribbean Customs Law Enforcement Council